49ers great Roger Craig on the Warriors’ run to 72, or 73, victories: “It’s almost like Mr. DeBartolo, how he created his family with us”

I’m writing a bigger-picture piece trying to place this Warriors team in the context of history, particularly Bay Area sports history, so of course that brought me to the 49ers dynasty.

Yesterday, I talked to Roger Craig, the great running back for three of the 49ers’ Super Bowl championships and a huge sports fan, and he helped put some of this in perspective.

Maybe the best, funniest and most refreshingly self-deprecating line from Craig: “When I go out to give business leadership talks with Ronnie Lott, the first thing that comes up is what the Warriors are doing. Not us!”

He was laughing when he said that. He respects this Warriors team, very clearly.

The column will post later today. Here’s the interview…

*** ROGER CRAIG/

-Q: What significant things do you see when you watch this Warriors team?

-CRAIG: I see Steve Kerr… I knew he was going to bring some type of dynamic style of coaching and dynamic style of changing cultures. Before you can win championships you’ve got to change the culture. And he was able to do that.

He was able to create something special that was there before and he tweaked it a little bit and took it to the next level. They were a good team before he came but he tweaked it to take it to the next level to these guys are playing their hearts out for him because who he is and what he brings to the table.

He’s been on two different dynasties–the Chicago Bulls dynasty playing for Phil Jackson and playing with one of the greatest players of all-time, Michael Jordan, and being able to see that dynamic, how it came together, to win three championships there.

And then he left the Bulls and went with the spurs and won two more under Popovich with Tim Duncan.

The guys bought into what he was saying. what he did was took it to the next level with the Warriors.

Once they got a taste of that it was like a shark tasting blood in the ocean. They got that taste. And you know what happens after that.

They play like they’re a shark in the water and they just want to annihilate anybody they play. I love it. They are creating history.

Just like with our team, Bill Walsh created an awesome dynasty with our guys, understanding their roles. Like here I am in the West Coast Offense, I had to be an all-purpose running back.

I couldn’t complain if I didn’t run the ball 30 times a game like Dickerson, Barry Sanders, get your 1,000 yards every year but you don’t win.

So my role was almost like a Draymond Green role. Draymond Green is like the all-purpose basketball player for the Warriors. He does everything.

When you have a guy clicking like that, he’s the energizer. He’s the guy who gets the spark that turns into a flame real fast. When you have players like that, you’re going to have success.

Look at Iguodala coming off the bench. Shaun Livingston, he could take over at any time, he’s 6-7, and when he takes over it’s so beautiful, so tall and lanky, posting up, wow. It’s amazing to see. all these different styles of players.

Each one brings something to the table. You’ve got the big man… Bogut… he’s amazing, blocking shots and dominating on rebounds, and once in a while he might put up a 3, you never know.

I like to see guys out there that are having fun, that are creating history, and changing the game.

It’s a great story for kids, especially Curry. He’s like 6-3, 6-4 but he looks small out there, compared to these other big tall basketball players. kids see that, if Curry can do it, I can do it.

It’s a great message across the world. you don’t have to be a big man to dominate. I love that, that he’s given hope to other kids that are not that big, giving them life. just a great story.

-Q: The obvious question: You see a lot of similarities to your 49ers teams?

-CRAIG: I like what they’re doing because like it’s Bill Walsh, he was always looking for different players, pulling different players into the puzzle.

They keep looking for talent. Joe Lacob has done a great job of surrounding himself with really smart people like Jerry West and Bob Myers.

These guys are brilliant and they all get along. I like to see how Joe Lacob created all this family. When I see the Warriors I see Joe Lacob creating this thing… this dynasty of people that get along with one another, and there’s no conflicts.

Just like when Steve Kerr got hurt, his back was bothering him, Walton stepped in and did an awesome job. Then when Steve Kerr came back, he comes right in and wins some more. it’s like they didn’t miss a beat.

You have to have a good family attachment.

It’s almost like Mr. DeBartolo, how he created his family with us. That’s what we felt like every time we stepped on the football field, that we had each other’s back.

We had each other’s back in the off-season. I’d do all this off-season training, pull guys in, like Jerry Rice, and we’d all train together.

And I see this with the Warriors, Klay and Curry and Iguodala, they all play golf together or they go to church together.

They stick together and when you do that, you’re going to have success. It’s all about the culture and Steve Kerr has created an awesome culture.

And I have to give Joe Lacob credit, by bringing all these people in.

-Q: So is Curry their version of Joe? Do you see that parallel?

-CRAIG: Without a doubt. He’s definitely a great leader. When he’s on fire and he’s stepping it up, he’s the go-to guy.

He’s kind of a quiet leader. I don’t see him really being vocal. It’s like Joe, he does his thing on the court and he leads by example the way he plays the game.

Joe wasn’t a vocal guy but when he talked everybody listened. I’ll bet they have the same mentality in the Warriors locker room when Curry talks. He leads by example, that’s Curry’s greatest asset.

He lets the work speak for itself.

-Q: Are they the greatest team since your teams?

-CRAIG: They have a good start right now. But (laughs) … let’s don’t jump so fast.

They’re winning and it’s fun and it’s helping kids and it’s changing generations. It transcends to business as well.

The Warriors set a great example of what it takes to work together as a team. So we all can learn from the Warriors.

How Draymond comes in, has a lot of different roles, all-purpose basketball player, does it all, like my position.

It’s kind of neat to see that the Warriors are creating a lot of happiness. People are happier when they go to work and they’re more productive. Businesses in the Bay Area are really picking up. People are happy to go to work, happy to see the Warriors play and win.

So the Warriors have done a lot for our area, and not just our area, but for the world. Everywhere they go they’re liked.

When I go out to give business leadership talks with Ronnie Lott, the first thing that comes up is what the Warriors are doing. Not us! (Laughs.)

It’s great. It really is great. I love what they’re doing. They play with unselfishness, pass four or five times every time before they shoot… They’re happy for each other.

Gosh, man how awesome is that? It’s a great example for sports that people should model themselves after. I love what they’re doing.